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COST OF VOTER LIST CUT IN FACE OF TAXPAYER SUIT

In the face of a lawsuit by the heads of two new taxpayer organizations, Erie County elections officials have agreed to drastically cut the cost of obtaining voter registration lists.

Further court action, however, could be in the offing.

Under the deal approved by State Supreme Court Justice Patrick H. NeMoyer, the county Board of Elections agreed to charge Primary Challenge and Free Buffalo no more than $50 for the voter lists.

But leaders of the organizations said the cost should be only $20, and that they'll be back in court if the elections board tries to stick to the $50 fee.

Under the court agreement, the fee will be no more than $50, with the stipulation that elections officials consider findings from the two organizations' computer experts that Leonard A. Roberto, head of Primary Challenge, said should reduce the fee to $20.

Roberto, who had been told March 22 that the cost was $375, paid the $50 last week.

After the court session, Roberto, along with James Ostrowski, founder of Free Buffalo, said they expect a $30 refund.

GOP Commissioner Ralph M. Mohr and Democrat Commissioner Dennis E. Ward said they believe the court settlement reaffirmed the appropriateness of charging candidates for the production of the voter files.